At a Glance

Immerse yourself in the vast country of Russia through the prism of life along its waterways. Learn about Russia’s imperial past in St. Petersburg, experience the Lakes, canals and Volga region’s traditional villages, and explore the dynamic city of Moscow. Expert-led talks and walking excursions reveal Russia’s fascinating history and culture, and delve into its current issues.

Activity Level

Let's Go!

Walking two plus miles daily during included events, up/down hills and steps, on cobblestone surfaces and uneven terrain; standing in some museums, no wheelchair/walker accessibility.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 10 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you'll ...

Discover the fairytale islands and monasteries in the Lake region noted for its spectacular medieval architecture and unique icons.

Visit the Kremlin Armory Chamber, housing a unique collection of Russian royal treasures, including Fabergé eggs and Russian imperial crown jewels; and enjoy a performance.

In Saint Petersburg, step inside the opulent palaces of the Romanov tsars, admire the collection of the Hermitage and enjoy an evening of dance and music.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Violeta Alexeyeva

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Violeta Alexeyeva

View biography

Suggested Reading List

View 27 books

Sunlight at Midnight: St. Petersburg and the Rise of Modern Russia

by W. Bruce Lincoln

A wonderfully written, informative portrait of St. Petersburg, focusing on the city's development in the 18th and 19th centuries as Russia's "window on the West." Highly recommended for travelers with an interest in the character and significance of the city and its monuments.

Culture Smart! Russia

by Anna King

A concise, no-nonsense guide to local customs, etiquette and culture with a short overview of the land and people along with practical travel advice.

Catherine the Great, A Short History

by Isabel De Madariaga

A brief survey of the reign of Catherine the Great that nicely balances biography with descriptions of the economic, political and social life of the period.

Land of the Firebird, The Beauty of Old Russia

by Suzanne Massie

Massie traces both minuscule details and larger movements in pre-revolutionary Russian art, literature and daily life in this affectionate overview of 19th-century palaces, courts and culture.

Peter the Great, His Life and World

by Robert Massie

In this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Massie portrays the giant of history who transformed Russia from backwater tsardom into a major empire.

Russka

by Edward Rutherfurd

In this absorbing, complex novel Rutherfurd transforms Russian history into an epic saga. The bestseller follows the fate of interconnected families over 800 years. Catherine the Great, Tolstoy, Pushkin and Rasputin all make appearances.

Lenin's Tomb

by David Remnick

A gripping eyewitness tale of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Remnick, the Washington Post reporter on the scene, combines fine historical scholarship with great storytelling.

Catherine the Great

by Robert K. Massie

Eager readers of Massie's Nicholas and Alexandria or the Pulitzer Prize-wining Peter the Great will not be disappointed by this latest, an old-fashioned tale of politics, power and 18th-century Europe, drawing effectively from the ambitious Catherine's own memoirs.

Romanov Riches, Russian Writers and Artists Under the Tsars

by Solomon Volkov

Volkov effortlessly unwinds the twisted relationship between art and the royal family from the rise of the Romanovs in 1613 to their downfall in 1917, including a chapter on Catherine the Great and her era.

Moscow Map

by ITMB

A handy, folding map of Moscow.

A Traveller's History of Russia

by Peter Neville

An impressively compact, lively survey of Russian history from the coming of the Slavs to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

St. Petersburg Map

by Berndtson & Berndtson

A detailed, laminated city plan of St. Petersburg, with street index inset. Place names are in transliterated English.

Russia of the Tsars

by Peter Waldron

Waldron recounts the exploits of Peter the Great and the Tsars and the splendor of their capital city, St. Petersburg, in this lively, well illustrated and compact overview of the largest and most diverse empire of its day.

The Ransom of Russian Art

by John McPhee

McPhee tackles a rather unusual topic for him: the story of suppressed Russian art and the man who brought it to America.

Speak, Memory

by Vladimir Nabokov

Nabokov's richly imagined memoir wonderfully evokes cultural life among the well-to-do in turn-of-the-century St. Petersburg.

Odyssey Guide Moscow, St. Petersburg & The Golden Ring

by Masha Nordbye, Patricia Lanza (Photographer)

A comprehensive guide to the art, culture and history of two great Russian cities, filled with maps and fine color photographs.

Communism, A History

by Richard Pipes

This short, fiercely critical history of communism provides a compelling overview, from the ideas of Karl Marx to the end of the 20th century.

The Winter Queen

by Boris Akunin, Andrew Bromfield (Translator)

Akunin sets a suspected murder among the glitterati of late 19th-century Moscow in this first book in the series of clever detective novels starring the rascal Erast Fandorin, wildly popular in Russia. The series continues with: The Turkish Gambit (RUS263), set during the 1877 Russo-Turkish War; Murder on the Leviathan (RUS225), an homage to Christie; and The Death of Achilles (RUS291), back in Moscow. Fandorin is deputy to the governor-general of czarist Moscow in Special Assignments (RUS371), facing a serial murder and a swindler.

Russian Short Stories

by Robert Chandler (Editor)

This fine collection of tales captures the sweep and soul of Russian literature, including works by Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Tolstoy along with lesser-known greats.

Eyewitness Guide Moscow

by Eyewitness Guides

This outstanding guide covers Moscow's culture, history and attractions with maps, site plans and hundreds of color photographs.

A detailed map of northwest Russia at a scale of 1:750,000, well-suited for a river cruise between St. Petersburg and Moscow. It covers all but the northernmost extent of the route.

Crime and Punishment

by Fyodor Dostoevsky, David McDuff (Translator)

Dostoevsky's thriller of murder and redemption is redolent of St. Petersburg's atmosphere. A cornerstone of Russian literature, and one of the greatest detective stories ever told.

The Art and Architecture of Russia

by George Hamilton, Judith Gordon

An elegantly written introduction to the art and architecture of Russia. Published in 1954, it's a good handbook for the traveler that goes beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg. Includes 314 black-and-white illustrations.

Eyewitness Guide St. Petersburg

by Eyewitness Guides

With excellent local maps and site plans, this outstanding visual guide introduces the culture, history and attractions of St. Petersburg.

Vodka, A Global History

by Patricia Herlihy

A professor of history at Brown, Patricia Herlihy tracks our fascination with this most versatile of spirits from its mysterious 14th Century Slavic origins to today's global dominance in this throughoughly entertaining, erudite and illustrated short history. A volume in the lively Edible History Series, which also includes the ideal companion: Olives, A Global History.

The Hermitage: A Journey in Time and Space

by Kultur Video

This 116 minute documentary, directed by Vladimir Ptashchenko and accompanied by orchestral music, showcases the extraordinary collections, Originally established as the private collection of the Russian Empress Catherine the Great.

Afternoon: After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before we gather for dinner and our Orientation session. At the scheduled time, we’ll meet our Group Leader in the lobby and proceed to dinner. Timing will vary based on arrivals.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room, we’ll have a plated 3-course dinner with appetizer or soup, main course, dessert, coffee, tea, bottled water; other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date schedule, discuss roles, responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. In addition to lectures and field trips exclusively for our Road Scholar group, you are invited to take advantage of activities and events aboard ship that are separate from the Road Scholar program. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line. As possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times (subject to change). This may mean that free time in port is limited. Regardless of the time in port, Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program. All routes, field trips, and excursions when crossing the lake are subject to change as weather and lake conditions may affect the itinerary. Lake conditions could affect the progress of the ship, sometimes making it run late and/or miss ports if it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of field trips and excursions without prior notice for the safety of participants. Walking 2+ miles per day, climbing stairs. Aboard ship, climbing 2-3 flights of steep steps with handrails multiple times per day (one small elevator). Deck hallways have 1-2 inch metal bars to step over; not suitable for mobility-assistance devices; buses not equipped for such devices. The ship meets or exceeds Russian standards of quality in its appointments, amenities, and meals. These standards may be different from other parts of the world. You will select your dinner. “Free Time and “At Leisure” periods offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while exploring on your own, engaging in activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing.

DAY

3

St. Petersburg, Peterhof Lower Park, Fabergé Museum

St. Petersburg

B,D

Novotel St. Petersburg Centre

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus. The drive to/from Peterhof is approximately 1.5 hours. Walking approximately 2+ miles, including steps in the Lower Park; no elevators; rest areas available. Walking approximately 1 mile at Fabergé Museum; stairways. Walk back to hotel approximately 1/2 mile.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet that includes hot and cold items plus juice, coffee, tea, bottled water.

Morning: We’ll board a bus and set out on a field trip through St. Petersburg and on to Peterhof. En route, a local expert will give a presentation on the city’s history, its founder Tsar Peter the Great, and the Romanovs who reigned from 1613 to 1917 — the longest-reigning Russian royal family. Peterhof is the stunning summer estate of Russian tsars on the Gulf of Finland. We’ll have an expert-led walking field trip in the Lower Park. Peter the Great himself sketched out what became one of the most extraordinary royal garden creations anywhere in the world. His successors the Empress Elizabeth (his daughter) and Catherine the Great continued to expand and improve these gardens. The Lower Park is considered a masterpiece of garden design incorporating plants and trees, exceptional architecture, sculpture, and water features including the famous fountains — more than 150! — and other objects beautifully restored to their original splendor. (Note: Inside visits to the Grand Palace and other museums on site are not included in this field trip.)

Lunch: At Peterhof, on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Returning to the city, we’ll be dropped off at the privately-owned Fabergé Museum, situated in the Shuvalov Palace, that preserves and displays some of the most amazing items in Russia's cultural heritage. The most famous pieces in the world's largest collection of works by jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920) are nine of the famous Imperial Easter Eggs. Designed in the form of real Easter eggs, Fabergé’s creations utilized precious metals, jewels, and incorporated a “surprise.” The museum also includes works by some of his contemporaries and pupils. We’ll have an orientation to the museum followed by time to view the collection independently with use of audio-guides. We’ll walk back to the hotel at the conclusion of our field trip.

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus. Walking approximately 2 miles in General Staff Building of the Hermitage, including steps/stairs. Walking according to personal preference during free time.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll board a bus with our local expert for a field trip to the most recent addition and expansion of the Hermitage: the renovated, redesigned General Staff Building. In spite of its unexciting name, this is one of the most famous architectural monuments in St. Petersburg with its stunning crescent shape and central triumphal arch directly across from the Winter Palace. It now houses the Hermitage’s collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist works as well as exhibits on Art Nouveau, French and Russian decorative arts, and pre-revolutionary Russian art. We’ll have an orientation to the museum followed by time to see what interests you most.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The Group Leader will return to the hotel with those who wish to enjoy a walk in Nevsky Prospekt; you are welcome to return by bus independently.

Dinner: At a city restaurant, we will have a 3-course plated meal; coffee, tea, bottled water included, other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We’ll attend a performance at one of St. Petersburg's notable venues. Whether an orchestral or choral concert, ballet, or musical show, we’ll deepen our appreciation for the richness and diversity of the performing arts. Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in the second mailing of preparatory materials sent approximately 4-5 weeks prior to program commencement. (Note: date of performance may be changed, avoid purchasing additional tickets for free time until then.) Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.

Morning: We’ll continue studying the royal lifestyle of the Romanovs with an expert-led field trip to the town of Pushkin — originally called Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village) — to explore the Catherine Palace and its adjacent park. This elaborate baroque residence was built by Tsarina Elizabeth in 1752 to honor the memory of her mother Katarina, the first wife of Tsar Peter I “the Great.” It was later rebuilt to become the main summer residence of Tsarina Catherine II “the Great.” Inside the palace, we’ll come face to face with a magnificent reconstruction of what some have called the Eighth Wonder of the World: the extraordinary Amber Room, made with six tons of amber, decorated with other gemstones and gold leaf, and inlaid with mirrors. We’ll learn how the room’s panels of amber mosaics were taken by the Nazis during their invasion of Russia in World War II, how they mysteriously disappeared, theories regarding the yet-unknown whereabouts, and how teams of Russian artists and conservators worked meticulously from 1979 until 2003 to reconstruct the entire room.

Lunch: Near World War II Memorial, on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll visit one of four museums dedicated to the defenders of Leningrad — as St. Petersburg was called then — during the siege that lasted from September 8, 1941 until January 27, 1944 — 900+ days when more than 700,000 civilians died. We’ll learn about the sacrifice and endurance that defined this terrible time in the city’s history. We’ll then transfer to and embark the M/S Mstislav Rostropovich, named for the renowned musician, and have a lecture by a local expert on contemporary Russia.

Dinner: In the ship's dining room, we’ll have a plated 3-course meal: appetizer or soup, main course and side dish, dessert, a glass of wine, coffee, tea, bottled water; other beverages are available for purchase. (Note: On the first evening, the meal is pre-set; during the voyage you will choose soup and main course in advance; bottled water may not be served in individual bottles.) If you want a snack later, the ship’s coffee-tea-cookie station is open 24 hours.

Evening: After an orientation to the vessel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. On rare occasions in May and September, the itinerary and ports of call may change on short notice due to weather events and local conditions. The ship is cleared to sail in waters with waves up to 6.5 feet (2 meters). In recent years, waves on these very large lakes have reached much higher. In such cases, the captain will chart a different route for the sake of everyone’s safety. Certain waterways have pre-scheduled time slots for passage. If we are delayed, we may have to wait for other vessels to go before us; updates will be provided aboard ship.

DAY

6

Highlights of St. Petersburg, Hermitage Museum

Various ports of calls

B,L,D

M/S Mstislav Rostropovich

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus. Walking approximately 2+ miles at the Hermitage Museum, including stairways; rest areas available.

Breakfast: In the ship’s restaurant, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet.

Morning: We’ll set out from the ship on a panoramic drive through St. Petersburg. Built on the order of Tsar Peter the Great, his beloved city was intended to rival Amsterdam and Venice. It became the capital of Russia in 1712 and was the seat of the Russian Empire for more than two centuries. Architectural and historical highlights of this stunningly beautiful “Venice of the North” include the Peter and Paul Fortress, which we’ll visit inside; Palace Square; the Winter Palace of the Russian tsars; and numerous canals and graceful bridges. We’ll drive along Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main boulevard, past St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Bronze Horseman statue dedicated to Peter the Great, and see many other important sights for a lasting impression of the city’s beauty and grandeur.

Lunch: In a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated 3-course meal with appetizer or soup, main course, and side dish; dessert, coffee, tea, water; other beverages are available for purchase.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll have an expert-led field trip to the Hermitage Museum, one of the world's greatest repositories of art treasures, founded by Tsarina Catherine the Great in the mid-18th century. Today, the collection of more than 2.7 million items is housed in five buildings. As we have only a few hours, we will focus on highlights including the Winter Palace, the former residence of the tsars, and (time permitting) one or two adjacent buildings where one of the largest collections of world-famous works of art is on display. We’ll delight in Old Masters and art treasures from around the world as a licensed expert leads us among the stunning staircases and opulent rooms. We’ll then transfer back to the ship.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: We will participate with everyone aboard ship when the safety drill is announced. Each evening, there will be live entertainment provided by members of the ship’s staff. The ship is scheduled to depart at 7:00 p.m.

Morning: There will be a shipboard presentation on the arts and crafts of the regions through which we sail. We’ll reach the village of Mandrogi for a technical stop required of all river vessels. The village is set amid beautiful northern forests in the lakes region. Once a mill and fishing settlement, it has been re-created as an open-air museum with ornate wooden cottages and other buildings typical of the 19th century. Some now serve as arts and crafts shops while others are for local vendors. You are welcome to stroll through the village to see what interests you most.

Lunch: In the village, we’ll have a shish-kebab lunch.

Afternoon: Back aboard ship, we’ll have a Road Scholar exclusive lecture on aspects of Russian identity. We’ll continue down the 139-mile long Svir River, along the southern shores of Lake Onega, one of the world's purest bodies of water, and then to Lake Ladoga. These are the second- and first-largest lakes in Europe, respectively. More like inland seas than lakes, these immense bodies of water can experience waves as high as 9-13 feet (3-4 meters) that can alter our itinerary. As we glide past sandy and rocky beaches, admiring beautiful shores with graceful willows and stately pines, we’ll participate in Russian language lessons.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: Evening entertainment.

DAY

8

Kizhi Island, Lecture

Various ports of calls

B,L,D

M/S Mstislav Rostropovich

Activity note: Walking 2+ miles; uneven and unpaved terrain.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Kizhi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the 1,650 islands on Lake Onega. We’ll go out for an expert-led walking field trip among the island’s unique wooden churches. These fairy-tale structures are a superb example of traditional Russian wooden architecture. Most striking among them is the Church of the Transfiguration, adorned with 22 domes built in 1714 without the use of a single nail and famed for its rare icons and iconostasis.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: We’ll have a Road Scholar exclusive presentation on famous Russian artists and musicians whose lives and creations were inspired by the beauty of the Lake and Volga regions. Later in the afternoon, we’ll participate in a Russian language class.

Morning: We’ll gather for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture on medieval Russian history.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: We are scheduled to arrive in Goritzy in the afternoon. This small, picturesque village near the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery was founded in the 15th century and is famous for its collection of rare icons. The area is also known for its convent, used as a place of exile for politically unpopular ladies of nobility, including Maria Nagaya, seventh wife of Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible). She was exiled here from Uglich by Boris Godunov, the notorious Russian ruler of the late 1500s. We’ll join a local expert for a walking field trip to learn about this historic farming village, meet local residents, and visit a home. Back aboard ship, there will be an opportunity to attend a presentation by the ship’s staff and to participate in a traditional Russian tea ceremony.

Morning: Uglich (pronounced “Ooglich”) was founded in 1148. We’ll take a walking field trip with a local expert to explore this quaint old town. During the “Time of Troubles” (1598-1613) — a period of instability marked by foreign invaders, internal revolts, and attempted take-overs of the throne — Uglich was the scene of many clashes. During a terrible battle in 1609, Polish forces attacked and burned the Alekseyevsky Monastery, killing all who had taken refuge. There are exceptional churches and other structures from the period that followed. The view from the Volga River is especially lovely, with the blue-domed Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church on the horizon. We’ll also see the exterior of the oldest building in Uglich, the Palace of Tsarevich Dmitry, one of the few that survived from the medieval era.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: There will be an opportunity to attend a presentation by the ship’s staff on Russian fairy tales and folklore, and to learn and sing Russian songs in Russian in preparation for a talent show this evening.

Dinner: Aboard ship, we’ll have a plated 4-course dinner with wine at the Captain's Farewell Dinner celebrating our last night together on the study cruise before arriving in Moscow tomorrow.

Morning: We’ll have a Road Scholar exclusive round-table discussion on aspects of life in contemporary Russia, followed by a Q&A session.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: Arriving in Moscow, we’ll board a private bus for a field trip to get an overview of its cultural and historical treasures. A local expert will provide commentary along the way about the modern life of Moscow residents. We’ll make stops to see important sights and landmarks such as Moscow University, Manezh Square, the Bolshoi Theater, the exterior of Novodevichi Convent, and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. We’ll continue with our local expert on a field trip to the legendary Kremlin compound. Beginning in the 13th century, the Kremlin became the seat of both temporal and spiritual power in Russia. This medieval fortress grew to include palaces, churches, and armories. We’ll go inside the walls, explore the grounds, and learn about Moscow’s ancient history. We’ll be able to take pictures of the fortress walls, armory, cathedrals, palace, and the famous Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell.

Dinner: At a downtown restaurant, we’ll have a plated 3-course meal with soup or salad, a main course, dessert, coffee, tea, water; other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: We’ll return to the ship in the late evening. Prepare for disembarkation and transfer in the morning.

DAY

12

Disembarkation, Field Trip, Transfer to Hotel, Performance

Moscow

B,D

Courtyard by Marriott Moscow City Center

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus. Walking approximately 2 miles during field trip; walking according to your personal preference during free time.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: After completing disembarkation procedures, we’ll board a bus and ride to the hill of Poklonnaya Gora. It is now Victory Park, commemorating Russia’s experience in the Great Patriotic War — known as World War II in the rest of the world. There are five levels, one for each year of the conflict, and 1,418 fountains for each day. The museum of the Great Patriotic War traces the battles, terrible losses, and eventual victory.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in the city.

Afternoon: We will drive to the program hotel for check-in and a short rest before dinner.

Dinner: At a city restaurant, we’ll have a plated 3-course dinner with appetizer or soup, a main course, dessert, and coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We’ll attend a performance at one of Moscow’s notable venues. Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in the second mailing of preparatory materials sent approximately 4-5 weeks prior to program commencement. (Note: Date of performance may be changed, avoid purchasing additional tickets for free time until then.)

DAY

13

Tretyakov State Gallery, Free Time

Moscow

B,L

Courtyard by Marriott Moscow City Center

Activity note: Walking 2+ miles in museum and city. Walking according to personal preference during free time.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet that includes hot and cold items plus juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We’ll take an expert-led field trip to the Tretyakov State Gallery with its inimitable collection spanning a millennium of Russian artistic history. In 1892, Pavel Tretyakov, a merchant and patron of the arts, donated his personal collection to the city of Moscow, forming the basis of the museum bearing his name that now boasts more than 170,000 works.

Lunch: In a city restaurant, we’ll have a buffet lunch featuring local specialties.

Afternoon: Free time. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You might like to explore the Tretyakov-2 modern art collection (in a separate building) on your own or set out independently to see more of what interests you most in the city. Those who feel comfortable taking high speed escalators on their own in the famous Moscow Metro might enjoy exploring some of its beautifully decorated underground stations. The system transports a daily average of 8-9 million passengers. It was one of the most extravagant projects of the former Soviet Union, with stations designed to be “palaces of the people.” Return to the hotel independently.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

14

Armory Chamber, Free Time

Moscow

B,D

Courtyard by Marriott Moscow City Center

Activity note: Walking approximately 2+ miles, including stairways in the Armory Chamber; no elevators. Note: the final departure transfer schedule will be announced 48 hours in advance.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll take an expert-led field trip to the Armory Chamber in the Kremlin compound, Moscow's oldest and most prestigious museum. Its collection features Russian and foreign armor, jewelry, and tsarist artifacts such as clothing, vestments, ceremonial objects, royal regalia including crowns, sumptuous gold and silver pieces, Fabergé eggs, and much more. We’ll then walk through Red Square to see the famous GUM department store and take pictures of St. Basil's Cathedral.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Free time. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You might like to spend the last afternoon in Moscow in Red Square and the Manezh area.

Dinner: In the hotel's restaurant, we’ll have a plated 4-course dinner featuring typical Russian dishes with appetizer, soup, main course, dessert, a glass of beer, wine, or vodka, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY

15

Program Concludes

Moscow

B

Activity note: Transfers for early flights will begin at 2:00 a.m. Hotel check-out by 12:00 noon. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. Verify your scheduled departure time and airport. Passengers must arrive at the airport 2.5 hours prior to flight time. A group transfer from the hotel to the airport is included for participants who made air arrangements through Road Scholar Travel Services.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. Those with early departures can have a prepared packed breakfast. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals

32 Meals

13 Breakfasts

7 Lunches

12 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Low Salt

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Opened in 2005, the Novotel St. Petersburg Centre is located just off of Nevsky Prospekt, the city's main boulevard. The hotel building is sleek and modern and blends nicely with its attractive historical surroundings. Hotel interiors are bright and welcoming, and the 233 stylishly designed rooms and suites are equipped with comfortable, ergonomic furniture and excellent amenities. The hotel is located within walking distance or a short drive to major hotels, museums, and cultural venues.

For 7 nights your floating hotel will be your river cruiser. Within the river cruise fleet operating in Russia, the motor ship Mstislav Rostropovich, named after the world-famous cellist, is regarded as one of the most comfortable river cruise vessels sailing in Russia. This 4-passenger deck ship was built in Czechoslovakia in the 1980's and completely rebuilt and redesigned in 2009, and 20011 to provide 1st class service along the Volga-Baltic Waterway. With a capacity for 212 passengers, it offers comfortable spacious staterooms featuring all the modern amenities. Comfortable public areas include a beautiful Panorama Lounge and a conference room for our onboard lectures and performances. The friendly all-Russian, English-speaking crew and staff are well-trained in servicing Western passengers. Other on board services include: Complimentary specialty tea and coffee station; Complimentary wine (1 glass) served at dinner; Bottled water for all meals and additional complimentary bottled water provided in cabins; (limited) WiFi service in public areas (not available while crossing the lakes). TEXTING is an option. Hair salon, massage room, and a small fitness room; One elevator on board connecting all decks (limited use); Quality linen and contemporary furnishings in cabins; Laundry service ( charges are comparable to New York hotels' rates). A Medical doctor or nurse on board.

The award-winning Courtyard Moscow City Center combines the historic grandeur of its surroundings with a modern sense of architectural style. It is located in a quiet residential neighborhood, yet it is a short stroll (about 10-15 minutes) from the heart of the city center and many famous tourist attractions including the Manezh, Kremlin and Red Square.

Found the cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow most interesting. The boat portion was rather long and not that much to see. The weather was cool and wet, so that did not help. The guide Violetia was very good. Food, in general, was better that expected for Russia.

Russian River Voyages between Moscow and St. Petersburg was an excellent program and highly recommended. Accommodations and meals were excellent. The educational program was of very high quality and was greatly enhanced by our Group Leader and guide, Violeta Alexeyeva. A great opportunity to see 2 wonderful Russian cities and to learn about Russian history, culture and the arts.

First trip with RS ........ thoroughly enjoyed this venture and the tour guides were so informative ..... hats off to "Snow" & Violeta!!! They both are excellent group leaders. Both hotels are in a great area for free time on your own; but maps, etc in English would be a great hand-out!! Flight itinerary at Frankfurt airport to Pulkovo could be explained more in detail - bus & then walking to next arrival/departure gate; if we hadn't been picked up by a small vehicle might have missed next flight!!; going thru security again; long waits, etc & then back to departure gate via train ........ just a little much info not relayed to us. Great assistance @ hotel check in & to room assignment to an adjoining hotel bldg!! Last group to check in; so very exhausted to get the clear info on trip after dinner; almost 10 pm St. Petersburg time! -(left Logan on 8/1 - 10:10pm)
It's a beautiful country to visit & the Rostropovich crew & staff should also be complimented!!
Now just have friends, relatives awaiting their post cards????? Sent them but none have arrived in USA yet ........ just wondering where they are?????
S.W.Kirby

Trip was fantastic, saw so many wonderful places and things. The guides were terrific, especially Violeta. I want to go back. Only thing not so great was the food; it was very rich and somewhat inconsistent but otherwise an amazing experience, highly recommend.

If you've ever wanted to visit Russia, do it! This trip showed me a different and very positive side of Russia. As you will read many times, Violeta is absolutely the best guide. You will also read about the strenuous walking and uneven streets. The walking wouldn't be strenuous if the streets were flat and there were no steps. Take walking sticks! Practice walking on uneven spaces while gazing at something beautiful. This was not a budget trip but it was worth every penny!

I have never traveled with Road Scholar before, but I certainly will again. I was most impressed with our guide...one of the most intelligent persons I have ever met. She knew so much about the history and art and was delighted to share it with us. The accommodations were superb, the amount of free time perfect. I could go on and on but want to mention one more thing...I loved the fact tips were included, more than I thought I would!!

This trip is informative, energizing and fun! Russia has been in the headlines and this trip gives you an opportunity to meet the people, learn about their history, enjoy their art and music and visit two of their great cities.

This trip is strenuous - more than the stated 2 miles and three flights of 10 stairs - but definitely worth it. I wish we had not missed three of the ship ports, but those things happen when one travels.

This trip was very educational. I learned so much about St Petersburg and Moscow from our guide who was incredibly knowledgeable about both cities. Personally, I have never seen as beautiful and magnificent churches, museums and cathedrals as I saw on this trip. To see pictures of the "onion turrets" in the Kremlin is nothing compared to seeing them in person. I am tempted to do the same trip again in a few years.

This trip is a wonderful introduction to Russia. The trip leader, Violeta, is amazingly knowledgeable and helpful. Russia is a fascinating country. My preconceptions of Russia were totally shattered. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip to all!

Terrific trip which gave you a taste of Russia! The trip gives you a composite of European influence, Byzantine influence and Cold War architecture which all helps in the understanding of the culture of the country, Our guide, Violeta, made the trip so interesting through her vast knowledge of history, art, music and architecture. Her enthusiasm was incredible and you could tell her love for her job and her country!

Participants in this program should be aware they are expected to walk for up to 3 miles in a day, climb lots of stairways without the aid of a railing, and to remain on their feet for 3-4 hours daily, and at times even exceeding that.

Have you been hesitating to enroll in a program to visit Russia? If so, stop waiting and sign up today with Road Scholar. Visiting Russia met and exceeded all of my expectations as Guide Violeta Alexeyeva brought the Russia's history and art alive.